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Instructions for various, including autoindex, urge use of Export, then ftp. The reason I am assessing this software is because it promises to be able to change and/or upload galleries directly from Lightroom, which is what is needed by one of my clients, who will purchase it if the claim is backed up.
When can and when can we not use the Upload rather than Export/ftp workflow in the plugins for the Publishing bundle.
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Hi. I have used Drupal and Wordpress for years. I understand the basics of LAMP platforms, including php, some js, and CSS.
When installation and setup instructions are clear, it is very easy to install and set up a software system. The instructions are not instructions. They are a mix of various information, including a description of how the software was created, what various elements do (but not, on the surface, how to install and use them). It is a very frustrating meandering approach after following the instructions for many iterations of other web software.
All I want to do is to know
1) How to install whatever I need to install (without the philosophy and sales bumpf or how things work. These things belong in another section of your site).
2) How to use what I need to use (without the reasoning and extraneous information about how things were created, etc etc)
to create a website where I can
1) St up a system for a client where I can create a look and feel for a client's site, and then show him how to
a) upload Lightroom galleries that will appear in a menu
b) create and edit a HOME page, and four "ABOUT" pages, including BIO, EXHIBITIONS, REVIEWS, and CONTACT info.
The documentation for this should be just a few simple steps, including
1) installing desired web engines and plug ins (me)
2) ftping a basic file set to the site as required (me)
2) creating and editing each of the above in Lightroom or wherever they are created (me, then client once first set created)
As is, the system is not comprehensible by my clients, it is cumbersome and the instructions are convoluted, so it is not an option for them. I cannot recommend that my clients purchase the system, as it is not made for ordinary people, but for people who want to spend the time learning the specialized knowledge involved. The simple method of uploading lightroom galleries into a website, and having those galleries appear in the website's menu, is far too distant from the purchase to make this a viable system for anyone but developers.
cb
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It goes MUCH better to ignore the instructions, and just play with the software! The instructions are a distraction!
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It goes MUCH better to ignore the instructions, and just play with the software! The instructions are a distraction!
I've always thought so, but people constantly demand thorough documentation. At this point, documentation exists mostly so that I can point people to specific pieces of information so that I don't have to constantly type the same thing over and over in replying to forum threads.
Btw, I tried replying to both of your emails, but both messages were bounced back as permanent failures.
Here's what each of those messages said:
We advise using FTP, as Lightroom's Upload functionality is unreliable. This is not a problem with the plugins, but with Lightroom itself. Also, given Lightroom's limited UI for targeting upload locations, and the fact that it does not save upload settings with templates, it's far too easy to mistakenly overwrite content, or upload galleries to the wrong location.
That said, some people are able to use it without problem, while others can't get it to work at all. Mileage may vary.
Our Publish Services plugin makes it pretty easy to create and update galleries, once setup. Otherwise, I think FTP is the best option.
That's an opinion, and one I believe not shared by most of my users.
Installation is very step-by-step:
http://ce3wiki.theturninggate.net/doku. … stallationThe rest of the basic concepts and plugin essentials are covered in our beginner's tutorial:
http://ce3wiki.theturninggate.net/doku. … publishing
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Matthew -
Thanks. Server was full. I am starting to enjoy CE3 very much.
At least I was, until I reopened lightroom this morning and all my gallery settings have disappeared.
Last edited by liquidvisual (2013-05-06 00:37:14)
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That's a pain. Be sure to save a template of your work in the Template Browser. Also be sure to save the web gallery (look in the upper right corner of the preview area for the "Save as Web Gallery" button.
Rod
Just a user with way too much time on his hands.
www.rodbarbee.com
ttg-tips.com, Backlight 2/3 test site
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Glad you're coming around. It's quite different than content-management-systems like WordPress and Drupal on account of having to work through Lightroom, and work around its quirks. Takes some adjusting.
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Matthew - I am coming around, big time! The software is very intuitive if you play with it. And thanks, Rod! I did figure out to save web template! Had to sleep on it, and read some more. Thing is, what you HAVE to read should be split off from stuff you don't have to read, maybe. 101 is helpful.
Now, if I only knew how to upload a Gallery so that it appeared on Galleries page. Rod?
And, my client DOES need to add/modify/upload Galleries and updated Pages directly from Lightroom, not export and ftp.
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Export your gallery. Upload the entire exported folder to the /galleries/ folder. Don't use any spaces or special characters when you name the export. Letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores only.
http://ce3wiki.theturninggate.net/doku. … he_gallery
And, my client DOES need to add/modify/upload Galleries and updated Pages directly from Lightroom, not export and ftp.
As Matt said, their mileage may vary....
Rod
Rod
Just a user with way too much time on his hands.
www.rodbarbee.com
ttg-tips.com, Backlight 2/3 test site
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Rob - Thanks a million! Worked perfectly. Tried first by ftp, and that worked. Then deleted ftp'd version and did Lightroom upload into /galleries/firstgallery subdirectory and that worked perfectly, too. User Template remembers subdirectory info.
Matt - I see why you advocate trying various elements of CE3 Suite before hacking. I hope rest goes well. Look forward to exploring Publisher.
I've been looking for this system for visual clients for a decade. The fact that it's rooted in software that is otherwise very useful is fabulous. Drupal and WordPress just don't make it. Once I'm more solid in CE3, I will surely be looking eCommerce upgrade.
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love the 'concrete shoes.' :-)
AND the fluid sizes when browser window reduced!
Last edited by liquidvisual (2013-05-07 07:01:02)
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And, my client DOES need to add/modify/upload Galleries and updated Pages directly from Lightroom, not export and ftp.
Their success here will largely depend on wind direction, aspects of astrological patterns, and how long it's been since their last blood sacrifice ... if being able to upload directly from Lightroom is essential, then getting up-and-running with TTG CE3 Publisher is probably going to be your best bet. Then you can setup some ready-made templates, and your client can manage their online collections all from the Library, without ever having to use the Web module at all.
I've been looking for this system for visual clients for a decade. The fact that it's rooted in software that is otherwise very useful is fabulous. Drupal and WordPress just don't make it. Once I'm more solid in CE3, I will surely be looking eCommerce upgrade.
I agree. I use WordPress for The Turning Gate's blog, and it's good for that. But in over a decade of making websites, I have found that trying to manage image galleries through a blogging platform -- or any web-based, database-driven CMS -- is a bloody nightmare.
As for the e-commerce upgrade, we have a CE3 version of our shopping cart system in the works for release later in the year. Our cart system has been designed specifically to get away from inventory-based systems (which typically require a separate product to be created for each image to be sold; again, a nightmare), and to operate more on product classes. It's a different approach than most e-commerce platforms take, and usually works out very well for photographic sales. Ben is working on it now, so we will hopefully be able to have it ready sometime during the summer. In the meantime, the CE2 version still works with CE2 version galleries.
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